Posts by David Jacobson

We’ve been working through the story of John Wesley and early Methodism. This is part four in a series of articles. You can read the first three parts here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. It’s worth repeating that we don’t look to history so that we can idolize it or hope to return to better times. Rather, I see our Methodist history as a way to understand what…

We are continuing to explore the story of John Wesley and early Methodism. We learn about Methodist history not to relive the past, but to learn from it. The Holy Spirit moved powerfully through America and England in the time of the Wesleys, and we are wise to glean all we can from our vibrant history and tradition. To catch up on the series, check out Part 1 and Part 2.…

I am continuing to use this monthly column as an opportunity for us to look at the life of John Wesley, a prominent leader in the early Methodist movement in the 1700s in England. My hope is that you will take the time to explore how this ordinary man came to live an extraordinary life for God. In doing this, I hope that you’ll find yourself inspired to serve Christ…

In these next few months, I will be using this monthly column to look at the life of John Wesley, a prominent leader in the early Methodist movement in the 1700s in England. My hope is that you will take the time to explore how this ordinary man came to live an extraordinary life for God, riding more than 250,000 miles on horseback (about 45 round-trip flights from New…

Guest Author: Sandra Miller Hopefully everyone had a very Merry Christmas. Remembering exactly what all of the preparation and celebration is for! Love came down at Christmas, God in human form; vulnerable and dependent upon his mother and father for his every need! And to think, he did all of this to be sacrificed on the cross for the sins of the world! It seems like…

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. That sounds like a rather silly thing to do, seeing as I’ve been the pastor at Lansdowne UMC for over a year and a half, doesn’t it? Still, as I recently passed a significant milestone in my journey toward ordination as an Elder in the United Methodist Church, I’ve had lots of opportunities lately to…

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) “we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15) My last semester in seminary, I took a class on “Creation.” For a whole semester we studied not…

“What is too good about Jesus not to share?” That was among the first questions that my professor asked our evangelism class in seminary. Some students were quick to answer. Others had trouble articulating an answer. The professor, Mark Teasdale, went on to point out, “Only when we offer the good news of Jesus Christ as that which has touched and…

Perhaps you remember a time (maybe in the not-too-distant past) when the church would have a “revival”– a series of services with a focus on preaching and evangelism. Many churches still do this. In fact, I am taking part in such an event this month at one of our sister churches in the Baltimore-Metropolitan district. There is, however, another deeper…